ICT experiences
My experiences include daily use of a PC and notebook and use of Internet. My ICT experience beyond this is limited. I am confident in Word, PowerPoint but struggle with Publisher. I would like to become efficient in Publisher as many collegues use this to create documents. At times I use Easyteach, however even after training, I still feel useful in implementing this program or trying to design things to use for the classroom. I am slowly improving and using more and more websites and programs that I have discovered, or been introduced to by my colleuges at school. I am always willing to learn more though!

What I want to achieve by the end of this course:
I would like to be able to successfully plan units of work that I can creatively use within the Level 1 area. I would also like to develop an understanding of what the hell a wiki is and how to successfully use it in an educational setting, as well as many more interactive activities and programs that the children in Prep can use to further their learning.

Integrated Unit of Work

Prep VELS Level One

Unit Topic - Science - What is an animal?

VELS Domain / Dimension / Standard
SCIENCE Science Knowledge and understanding. Students explore the nature of the simmilarities between, and the diversity of, living things and their sustainable relationship with each other and their environment.

Our Aims whilst developing this unit
We aim to create a unit of work based on discovering the many different types of animals that exist in a variety of different habitats and locations. We also aim to understand the physical and environmental requirements that different animals need to survive. We will also explore the human uses of animals.

What real world connections are you considering?
The uses that humans have for animals as well as developing an awareness of animal requirements.

What would be the role of the students?
Actively participating and investigating different animal types, different human uses for animals, how animals interact with their natural and man made environments.

What project scenario are you considering?
Based on unit content and student learning, children will select an animal that they would like to be become, and justify their decisions.

8th June 2010 Activity 6: Sharing your results
Today I tried an idea for a visual ranking tool for my unit of work 'Animals'. The visual ranking tool that I built today will need to be revised before it is used as a teaching tool in the classroom.
The visual ranking tool will be a great help to assist in deeper thinking and in the younger years, will develop group work skills and hopefully listening to and respecting other points of view.
My questions about this project's design, implementation and assessment is how often do you use a visual ranking tool? I cannot see myself and my children doing this activity over and over again, it will feel like we are going around in circles. I feel that the children will want to know the 'correct' answer, and there will not be one that I can give them.

great ideas Matt- from Melinda